Veterans Affairs assisted dying discussion was isolated, but probe ongoing: ministers

Veterans Affairs ministers told a parliamentary committee that the ongoing investigation into the incident has determined "no other instance" of similar discussions.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) officials insist the case of an employee who discussed medical assistance in dying with a veteran was an isolated incident, despite most calls between service agents and clients not being recorded.

Paul Ledwell, the deputy veterans affairs minister, assured the House of Commons standing committee on veterans affairs on Thursday that the investigation into the incident — which is still ongoing two months after it was launched following reporting by Global News — has determined “no other instance” of VAC agents having similar discussions with other veterans.

Ledwell appeared at the committee alongside Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay, who despite taking questions on the issue for the first time repeatedly deferred to his deputy who is overseeing the probe into the department.

“The thoroughness of this investigation is directly related to the seriousness of the incident that occurred,” Ledwell said.

Ledwell added training is ongoing with all frontline staff to ensure no service agent ever again brings up assisted dying with veterans. He said to date, three-quarters of all service agents have received the training, which will be mandatory for all new hires.

No other details were given about the employee at the centre of the controversial discussion, who was described as a “well-established” agent who remains at the department but is no longer interacting with veterans.

Global News first reported on Aug. 16 that a VAC employee had discussed medically-assisted dying with a veteran, a case that has brought renewed scrutiny on the department and the ongoing struggle for veterans seeking support.

Sources told Global News a VAC service agent brought up medical assistance in dying, or MAID, unprompted in a conversation with the combat veteran, who was discussing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury.